Splint



Feb. 13,- 1923.

1,445,437 c. A. HOEF'FTCKE SPLINT Filed Aug. 4; 1921 2- shee ts -sheet 1 Patented Feb. 13, 19213.

it starts earunrrrin CAREL AUGUST HDEFFTCKE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SPLINT.

Application filed August 4, 1921. Serial No. 489,833.

(GRANTED UNDER- TI-IE PRDVISIONS 035 THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921, 41 STAT. L, 1313.)

vented certain new and useful Improvements in Splints (for which lhave filed an application in Great Britain Oct. 2, 1915, Patent No. 13,97 6), of which the following is a specification.

This invention refers to splints employed in what I term the ambulatory treatment of injuries or diseases of the lower limbs, applicable for instance for the treatment of fracture, shot wounds, tubercular and other diseases of the joints, the office of such splints being to take the weight of the body off the leg and in addition be utilized to produce extension between the surfaces of the condyles in joint diseases, or in the case of a fracture to keep the fragments in apposition. a

The appliance which I have heretofore employed broadly consists of a bucketshaped casing which embraces the upper part of the thigh and buttock and upon or within which the weight of the body can be supported, While proceeding downwards from each side of the casing, on opposite sides thereof, is a rigid rod, a foot plate being fixed at the lower ends of the said rods. In some cases the rods may be jointed, having say a knee or ankle joint. To thes'e rods the edges of'a flexible support of suitable material such as canvas are adjust-ably fixed to serve as a support for the back of the leg, while a support of similar material is also fixed to the rods to pass over the knee.

In such a splint the ankle of the patient is fitted with an ankle gaiter of flexible material, so that when the whole appliance is in position and the patients weight is supported in the upper straps from the ankle gaiter pass beneath the foot plate to retain the patients foot in I position, which straps can be adjusted until the requisite extension has been obtained, should such extension. be desirable.

In such apparatus it is of the utmost importance that the weight of the patient should be wholly sustainedby the bucketshaped thigh casing without causing injury, pain or inconvenience, and this portion of the appliance I so construct that there is no pressure at all on the perineum or pubic bucket-shaped casing,

"curative process, movement can be allowed almost immediately which not only permits of exercise and prevents stagnation of the blood supply, but in fact increases it. Now

'in treating injuries to the lower limbs particularly of wounded on the field, the employment of such apparatus as above outlined would be of incalculable benefit 1f 1t was rendered capable of immediate and ready application, and was adjustable to suit any person to whom it might be desirable to apply it to and the present invention is directed to meeting these-requirements.

The present invention therefore particularly refers to so constructing such a splint or appliance that it can be applied to any patient without difficulty and without lifting or raising the limb or the body of the patient, and thereby to render the appliance such that it can be employed for injuries sustaiped to the lower limbs during war and so applied even. on the field with the result of enabling the injured person to stand and even to walk a-reasonable distance without producing further complications or excessive pain. To this end, as hereafter described, the thigh casing or thigh bucket which is mainly constructed of rigid material preferably of metal, is divided in a vertical direction into two portions, one division being at the front of the thigh bucket and the other division at the rear, so that the inner portion of the thigh bucket can be slidden underneath the buttock, this inner portion being formed so that the tuberosity of the ischium hears upon itsrear inner surface. Then the outer portion can be brought towards this inner and rear portion and secured by straps, flexible flaps say of leather extending on the interior from the edges of the inner portion of the thigh bucket on to the inner surface of the outer portion of the portion l'can be passed thigh "bucket to cover the di'visions of the said bucket.

and outer portions of the thigh bucket easing is permitted by the springing apart or the downwardly extending rods.

I will further describe the in ention with reference to an example of construction shown on the accompanying drawings,

Whereon Fig; 1- shows the appliance in front 1Q elevation. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the appliance-shown in 1 1g. lathe appliance the thigh ,easing, gWlilllQlli) moving the The distancing of the inner patient. and In this adjustmentthe parts i and 3 of the thigh casing can be so brought to "ether as to lit the patient and permit his .weight and the strain of extension Where such is applied to be supported Without the said patientsuii ering much pain and inconvenlenee.

Between the rods 8 Iii the flexible supporting member 10' for the bacl: or the patients leg and such support, in order to actually shown-in these two views being adapt it to various lengths of limbs is ad- "ada'ptbd to be applied 'to the right leg,. and QshoWing the external side of the uppliance.

justablyfixed to the said rods by, forkin- .stance, straps 11 passing overstuds 152. A slmillar rtlex ble frontal supporting member Fig. 8 shows "the buchet-shaped thigh 1 iS applied by & similerfixing P2188 C casing-illustrating the rear division. l. ig. is afsimilarrieiv to Fig." showing principallj theihnerportionof the thigh casing. The bucket shapedraising consists of the two parts or pbrtions previously mentioned, fthe "part indicated-at lybeine' the rearinner the atients knee. In some cases the flex- .i.ible supports can begfdispensed Withand bandages employed instead. As aforesaid, therods 8iean beadjustable in length so as to distance the foot plate 9 from the thigh -casinges required, in such manner that the "the tuberosity of "the ischium and 3 is the "outer portion oft-he thigh casing. The rear- Ward division i -and the irontah division 5 ofthe thigh easing are clearly shown in the f drawings, and adjustable"straps or equivzu "lent connections such as (3 are: titted between the two p'arts l and 3 sothat they .2111 be "\vh olly-:aieparated,"and when connected to- 'etl1enlJy-tl1e straps ithe GLigfiSOf the ditance it'roni one another. and thcrebv the i5" ends of which a rigid or jointed footplatez "9 of metal fixed. [is a detail of construe.- '-""tio'n,both the rods 8 may be formed from a i single strip and be bent beneath the toot plate sothat the"l 'atter is secured or jointed 5O "aps dare-t i and of*the-thigh bucket can be ancedtroni each otherquite easily owin tothe'elastieity of the rods- 8, so that without the limb of the patient the rear between the thighs end placed around and onto the buttock oi the injuredlimit brbught thereonto while the leg =1jatie11t is between-the rods 8,

of the and then 1t is Q onlj-necessary :to adjust and fasten the which can quite-well bedone con; sldering the position of the divisions of rouse.- an'df) canbewarieil as regari'ls the;

' glr'casing adapted to the size of the indi ji idual patient to-Whom it is lobe applledz and themuter portion.

..plate andaround the patients ankle I fix an ankle goiter such as .14, from which a strap 15. and buckle 16 extends, passing beneath the sole oi the ftootplate by which the extension. can be obtained. j What I claim and desire to secure by Letmters Patent i j 1. An ambulatory splint employed in the 1 treatment of injuries or diseases oi the lower limbs; comprising. a thigh casing of subostantiallyrigid material divided in a vertical. direction. into two separable. and relatively adjustable portions to permiti said thigh. casing to be applied Without, disturbing the.patient, means for veonnecting one portion or" said thigh casing to the other portion and for adjusting the distance apart ojf the, edges of said portions of said thigh casing, two rods extending about parallel with. the leg of the patient one upon each iside thereof, meansfoi' fixing the upper ends of said rods one to one portion and one to the other portion of said divided thigh casing, a foot plate, means forrigidly connect- .in-gsaid tootplate .tothe lower ends of said rods at a greater distance from said thigh casin rithan the length of the patient s leg.

ananlrle gaiter to embrace the ankle of the .ipatlentqlocated-between said rods and ad jacent said foot plate. and, flexible connections from said .anklega ter to pass beneath thesole' of said foot plate to bring about 'ension of the patients leg. 2. Ananibulatory splint employed in the treatment of injuries or diseases oi? the lower limbs; comprising a thigh. casing of substantially ri id material. divided in a ver' .tieal ,direetion into two separable andrclatively adjustable portions to permit said ,thigh -;casing to be applied Without disturb- .pingrthe ipatient, therea g inner portion of said thigh easing being of larger periphery and of greater depth than the front outer por ion thereot, means for connecting one portion of said thigh casing to the other portion and for adjusting the distance apart of the edges of said portions of said thigh casing two rods extending about parallel With the leg; of the patient one upon each sidothereot, means for fixing the upper ends of said rods one to one portion and one to the other portion of said. divided thigh casing a foot plate means for rigidly connectingsaid toot plate to the lower ends oi said rods at a greater distance from said thigh casing than the length oi the patients leg, an ankle gaiter to embrace the ankle ot' the patient located between said rods and adjacent said toot plate and flexible connections from said ankle gaiter to pass beneath the sole of said. foot plate to bring; about extension of the patients leg,

3. An ambulatory splint employed in the treatment of injuries or diseases of the lower limbs; comprising a thigh casing of substantially rigid material divided in a vertical direction into two separable and. relatively adjustable portions to permit said thigh casing); to be applied Without disturb ing the patient, the rear innerportion of said thigh casing being of larger periphery and of greater depth than the front outer portion thereof. the said front outer portion having inclined upper and lower edges approximately parallel to one another: means for connecting one portion of said thigh casinp; to the other portion and for adjusting the distance apart of the edges of said portions of said thigh casing, two rods extending about parallel with the leg of the patient one upon each side thereoh means for fixing the upper ends of said rods one to one portion and one to the other portion of said divided thigh casing, a foot plate, means for rigidly connecting; said foot plate to the lower ends of said rods at a greater distance from said thigh casing than the length of the patients leg, an ankle gaiter to embrace the ankle of the patient located between said rods and adjacent said foot plate, and flexible connections from said ankle gaiter to pass beneath the sole of said foot plate to bring; about extension of the patients leg.

l, An ambulatory splint treatment of injuries or lower limbs: comprising a thr substantiall rigid mate ial divided iii a vertical direction into two separable and relatively adpistable parts to permit said thigh casing to be applied WilliOllt disturbingthe patients the rear inner portion o l'? Which is of a shape to receive the tuberosity of the ischium and the surrounding gluteal muscles but leaving; the perineum and pubic bones free of pressure, means for connecting one portion of said thigh casing to the other an ankle traitor to cn'ibrace the angle of the patient located between said rods and adjacent said toot plate, and flexible -onnrctions from said anl-Ile gaiter to pass beneath the sole otsaid toot plate to bring); about extension of the patients leg.

5, An ambulatory splint employed in the 'ally rigid ma erial divided in a vertical direction into two separable relatirely adjustable portions to permit said thigh casing to be applied Without disturbing the patient, means tor connecting one portion of." said thigh casing to the other portion anfl tor adjusting; the (llmQRllCG apart of the edger of saidportions oi said thigh casing two rods extending? about parallel with the L of the patient one upon each sid thereon, means for fixing; the upper ends-1 said rods one to one portion and one to the other poi tion oi" s' divided thigh casing;- to ltll'll'ilil the adjus .ient oi? said rods in a downward or upward direction. a foot pla means for rigidly connecting said "foot plate to the lower ends of said rods at a greater distai'ice from said thigh casing; than the length ot the patients roar tlexil'de sumibrtiujr member for the back oi the patioi'its le means for adjustably connecting the edges of said rear supporting member to said oppositely located rods a frontal flexible supporting member to pass over the knees of the patient. means for adjustablv connecting: said fron al supporting); member to said rods, an ankle 'tcr to embrace the rmlrle ot the patient located between said rods and adjacent said toot late and flexible con] tions from said ankle g iter to pa the sole of said foot plate to 1 extension of the patients 6, in ambulatory splint employed in the treatment of injuries or (if. es of the lower limbs; comprising: a thigh casing of substantially l ind material divioed in a verb. cal direction into two separable and ro l-- tively adjustable portions to permit said thigh casing to be applied Without dfsturbing the patient, interior leather flaps to thedistance apart of the ed es 0t said povtions of said thigh casing, two rods extending ahout parallel with the leg of the patient one upon each side thereof, means for fixing the upper ones of said rods one to one portion. and one to the other portion of said divided thigh casing to permit adjustment of said rods in a, downward or upward direction, a foot plate, means for rigidly eonnecting said foot plate to the lower ends of said rods at u greater dis tance from said thigh casing than the length of the patients leg" 2, rear flexible supporting member for the back of the patienifs leg, means for adjustubly connecting the edges of said rear supporting member to said oppositely located rods, a frontal flexilile sup gioi'tingr .inen'ihm' to pass over the knee of the pill li3l1t,']I181I1S ioi :tdjustably connecting said frontal supporting member to said rods, an ankle gaiter to embrace the ankle of the patient located between said rods and adjacent said foot plate, and flenv ble connections from said ankle goiter to pass beneath the sole of said foot plate to bring about extension of patients leg.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesse CA REL AUGUST HOEFFTCKE. lVitnesses THOMAS VvIL-LTAIJ ROGERS, L'iasnm FILXNK Rooms. 

